The SAS Blog: Stories, Wine Highlights, Events, Recipes, etc.

August 13, 2015

10 NOT-TO-MISS ONTARIO WINES

Ontario herbs, vegetables and fruits are at their peak right now. What's the best way to enjoy them? With friends, family and local wine made right here in our own backyard. Here are our picks — available in small batches only for a limited time. Get them while you can!

bit.ly/1TyhbSb

July 30, 2015

Spice Up Your Next Ladies’ Night

Put your imagination in gear for some creative social gatherings

Author: Enterprise Canada

ST. CATHARINES, Ont. — Summer’s warm weather is inviting us to get out and spend some quality time with our families and friends, and with a little creativity you can ensure those moments become cherished memories.

Now that the warmer weather has finally arrived it's time to start planning your get-togethers with family and friends. Instead of the usual summer BBQ, try something new that everyone will love and take advantage of Niagara Wine Country, sitting right on the doorstep of the GTA.

“Planning a fabulous day out with friends doesn't need to be stressful or extravagant,” says Sue-Ann Staff, proprietor and winemaker at the estate winery that bears her name.

“The Fancy Farm Girl way is to enjoy the quality time we get to spend with one another, embark on new experiences and have some fun! Sharing new experiences with friends is what keeps life interesting so plan an activity that is a change of pace for your group.”
When getting together with your ladies, consider some of the following to spice up the gathering:

·Learn how to pair wine and food
A proper wine and food pairing can take your dining experience to the next level; but an improper pairing can leave a bad taste in your mouth. Learn the finer points of what wines go with what dishes from the experts with a private course.

·Tour an estate
Get intimate with the grapes — and history — that goes into your favourite bottles of wine by taking a tour of the vineyards, grounds and winery. The Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery in the quaint town of Jordan, Ont., boasts a beautiful location and dynamic family history provides for some interesting details about the property. In the past, 200-year-old Staff family farm has hosted Mikhail Gorbachev, Pierre Trudeau, David Peterson and the list goes on.

·Customize a private four-course dinner
Imagine you and your girlfriends gathered a century old table in one of Niagara's most authentic farmhouses, enjoying great food and wine. Let Sue-Ann Staff design a private dinner with wine selections for you and your friends. A sample menu may include Riesling Braised Black Cod on Asian Slaw and Herb Drizzle (paired with Pinot Grigio), a Thornloe Asiago Tartlet with Double Smoke Bacon on Ver Jus Dressed Mixed Greens (paired with Riesling), Slow Roasted Beef Tenderloin with Truffles Mushroom Crumble on Soft Basil Polenta (matched up with a Baco Noir) and Ontario & Quebec Bleu's with Dark Chocolate and served with Icewine.

·Winemaker’s 101
Head out for a vineyard and winery tour, and follow it up with a 90-minute winetasting that gives you an insider’s insight into the wines you are enjoying, the difference between sparkling, white and red winemaking, the love of Icewine and more.

- See more at: http://www.mnialive.com/articles/spice-up-your-next-ladies-night#sthash.sXKLRPTK.dpuf

July 08, 2015

POP UP HAMILTON presents: DOWNTON DOWNTOWN

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GwO_SJOj9Q

pictures by Sarah C.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GwO_SJOj9Q

July 05, 2015

Caroline's Culinary Delights ... 2013 Fancy Farm Girl Foxy Pink

Caroline's Culinary Delights

http://carolinesculinarydelights.com/2015/07/sueannstaff-2013-fancy-farm-girl-foxy-pink/

@SueAnnStaff – 2013 Fancy Farm Girl Foxy Pink

July 1, 2015 · by Caroline · Leave a Comment

A small, quality oriented winery on the Staff family’s 200-year-old estate on the brow of the Niagara Escarpment in Jordan, Ontario, Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery blends more than a century of grape growing experience with Sue-Ann’s 15 years of making award-winning wines. After opening in 2009, it has been a whirlwind of ultimate experiences, from weddings to corporate dinners to food truck events and Niagara Icewine programs.

A fun family barbecue in the rouge valley always a perfect

After a fun afternoon with my family, I must share with those wine lovers out there, a hidden gem of a Rose:

2013 Fancy Farm Girl Foxy Pink

Vineyard Data:
-harvested exclusively from the estate vineyard in Jordan, ON, sub appellation 20 Mile Bench
-four vineyard parcels ranging from 6 to 18 year old vines grown on thin clay soils with escarpment limestone rock beneath were blended for this wine
-2013 – cool year hence acidity and fruit flavours easily retained
-low yields with tiny berries

Winemaking Data:
-each wine was fermented and aged individually to maximize their flavours and intensity
-post fermentation; the wines were blended to 92% Riesling and 8% Cabernet Franc, stabilized and filtered.

Technical Data:
Alcohol   11.0%                                                     Residual Sugar      15.3 g/L (LCBO = 1, Off-Dry)
pH           3.18                                                        Total Acidity          8.9 g/L
Bottled   February 2014                                     Cases produced    250 cases

Tasting Notes:
The bright pink colour eludes to every characteristic about this wine. Bright fruits on the nose of yellow grapefruit, watermelon rind and vivid floral tones leap from the glass while bright zippy acidity refreshes the off dry palate. The fruit and floral notes continue through here too with complexing crab apple and lilac. The finish is bright, dry, mouth-watering and entirely too pleasant. Enjoy with on its own with friends (or not!) or with sushi, tuna, salmon, pizzas, picnics, salads and soooo much more.

For more information, please visit www.sue-annstaff.com. Follow Fancy Farm Girl on Twitter @Fancy_Farm_Girl and like it on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/fancyfarmgirlwines.

#enjoylife

May 13, 2015

Boutique Wineries in Niagara That are Worth the Drive

SCORE POINTS WITH YOUR OENOPHILE FRIENDS BY TOURING THESE SMALL-BATCH WINERIES IN NIAGARA—AND BY BRINGING HOME A BOTTLE OR TWO ...

Small-batch wineries are just that: they produce limited quantities of their wines since they have smaller vineyards, lower grape yields and more compact production facilities. Niagara’s larger operations can send out 50,000 cases or more each year; boutique wineries, like the ones described below, may produce fewer than 10,000 cases—which means that if you taste a vintage you like, you’d better pick up a bottle (or several) before they run out!

1 Rancourt Winery is a Niagara gem. The 25-acre cottage winery prides itself on growing all of the grapes for its VQA Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay and Riesling under the expert guidance of winemaker Eric Pearson. 1829 Concession 4, Niagara-on-the-Lake, 1-905-468-2882; rancourtwinery.com

Winemaker Sue-Anne Staff’s eponymous operation is among the top small-batch wineries in Niagara

2 Viticulture is in Sue-Anne Staff’s blood: she comes from five generations of grape growers but is the first winemaker in her family, and since 2009 has helmed her own Sue-Anne Staff Estate Winery. Seventy per cent of the vines on Staff’s property are dedicated to Riesling; her offerings include interesting Viognier-Riesling and Riesling-Cabernet Franc blends. A second label, Fancy Farm Girl, debuted earlier this year as an affordable, approachable and fun alternative to Staff’s more premium offerings. 3210 Staff Ave., Jordan, 1-905-562-1719; sue-annstaff.com

3 For the last four decades, the Neufeld family has been cultivating grapes on the land that is now Palantine Hills Estate Winery. It’s actually historic soil: battles were fought here during the War of 1812, and unearthed militia artifacts have been preserved for visitors to see. 911 Lakeshore Rd., Niagara-on-the-Lake, 1-905-646-9617; palatinehillsestatewinery.com

4 Two brothers, Greg and Yannick Wertsch, are the brains behind Between the Lines Family Estate Winery, so named because it’s located between Lines 5 and 6 on Four Mile Creek Road. Try their signature Lemberger—made from a lesser-known Austrian grape—or their bestselling Vidal. 991 Four Mile Creek Rd., Niagara on-the-Lake, 1-905-262-0289;betweenthelineswinery.com

The stylish tasting room at Back 10 Cellars

5 For Andrew and Christina Brooks, Back 10 Cellars has been a true labour of love. The couple’s journey towards owning their own winery began in 2002 when they bought their 10-acre farm and began growing grapes for Featherstone Estate Winery. Their very first production under their own label was their 2012 Big Reach Riesling, which won gold at the 2013 All Canadian Wine Championships, alongside limited vintages of Start from Scratch Chardonnay and Blood Sweat & Years Pinot Noir. 4101 King St., Beamsville, 1-905-562-3365; back10cellars.com

6 Although terroir is an oft-discussed topic among vintners and oenophiles, it’s particularly notable at Coyote’s Run. Two different types of clay soil result in distinctly different wines: the Red Paw Vineyard’s red Trafalgar clay loam helps to produce fruity and aromatic wines, while the Black Paw Vineyard, with its more common dark Toledo clay loam, generates earthy and structured blends. 485 Concession 5 Rd., Niagara-on-the-Lake, 1-905-682-8310; coyotesrunwinery.com

7 Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery is not only a vineyard, it’s also a restaurant and a specialty grocery store. The farm here has been part of Norma Jean Harber’s family since 1867. Now she and her husband Blair, alongside winemaker Martin Werner, produce premium small-batch organic Chardonnays, Cabernet Sauvignons and Merlots. At the restaurant, the farm-to-table ethos is quite literal: pigs are raised in a nearby pen while fresh vegetables are brought in from the grounds’ garden. And at the Canning House, visitors can pick up preserves, jams, pickles, sauces and freshly baked artisan breads. 1366 York Rd., St. Davids, 1-905-262-8463;ravinevineyard.com

—Linda Luong

May 12, 2015

DOUBLE GOLD FOR JORDAN’S FANCY FARM GIRL

MEDIA RELEASE

May 11, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DOUBLE GOLD FOR JORDAN’S FANCY FARM GIRL

The recent 2015 Ontario Wine Awards, Ontario’s largest wine competition, held May 08, 2015 at Niagara-on-the-Lake’s gorgeous Queen’s Landing proved quite successful for Jordan’s Sue-Ann Staff and her new brand “Fancy Farm Girl”. Miss Staff’s wines were awarded two prestigious gold medals for the 2012 Vidal Icewine and 2013 Fancy Farm Girl Foxy Pink.

Excitement rang high with the first GOLD in the highly competitive category “BEST VIDAL ICEWINE AWARD” for the 2012 Vidal Icewine. It is currently available at the winery and 29 “Vintages” locations in the LCBO for $24.95 for 200 ml.

Sue-Ann’s history encompasses vinifying stunning Icewines which have won some of the most prestigious wine competition trophies around the world while employed at other wineries. This win helps solidify the decision produce wine under her own brand. “My reputation as Niagara’s Ice Queen referring to the strong stable of Icewines produced will hopefully continue as I work to export this brand and wines into new markets around the world.”

The second GOLD for “BEST WINE LABEL AWARD” for the Fancy Farm Girl Foxy Pink label was particularly exciting as judging is accomplished online by the community at large. Fancy Farm Girl Foxy Pink captured an impressive 68% of the public vote to firmly secure the title. The 2013 vintage was released May 09, 2015 at Sue-Ann’s Spring Open House for $17.00. It is an elegant off-dry aromatic wine that is both food friendly and ready for sipping on the patio.

“Ontario Wine Awards has always been a competitive endeavor since its Olympic styled awards of one gold, silver and bronze per category make it challenging to come home with hardware” says Sue-Ann. “I have always highly respected the medals won here and know the wines and judges are both of exceeding high quality.”

Sue-Ann would like to extend congratulations to Emma Garner of Thirty Bench Wine Makers as 2015 Ontario Winemaker of the Year.

Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery, home of the Fancy Farm Girl, is a premium winery in Jordan, ON, Canada on the brow of the Niagara Escarpment. It is the ultimate assemblage blending over 100 years of family grape growing experience with Sue-Ann’s international winemaking acclaim. Clay soil with limestone rock beneath provides wine with intensity, minerality and longevity. The onsite retail store is open daily on the 200 year old family estate.

Media Contact:

Sue-Ann Staff

Proprietor / Winemaker, Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery Inc.

sue-ann@sue-annstaff.com or 905-562-1719

April 22, 2015

Sour grapes for Ontario craft wineries Small wine makers not thrilled that plans to bring wine to grocery stores reportedly stalled by the province

Sue-Ann Staff is disappointed that she probably won’t be able to get her Fancy Farm Girl Wines – from Foxy Rosé to Flirty Bubbles – on grocery store shelves anytime soon.

The fifth-generation farmer, and first to launch a vineyard on her family’s 200-year-old estate in the heart of Niagara’s wine-growing region, says small craft wineries like hers don’t stand a chance to compete with the big players if the Ontario government backs out of plans to overhaul the retail wine system.

“I’m looking to expand my business and my vineyard and grow more grapes, but I can’t do that until I have access to bigger markets,” said Staff, who studied the science and art of winemaking at the University of Adelaide in Australia.

As reported Wednesday by The Star’s Robert Benzie, Ontarians will soon be able to buy beer in some 300 supermarkets, but the more complicated expansion of wine sales in grocery stores is going to take longer to uncork, sources say, due to complications posed by international trade agreements and other challenges.

“It’s frustrating to be left on the back burner,” says Marcel Morgenstern, director of sales for Burnt Ship Bay Estate Winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

“People want access to more wines, and they should have it,” says Morgenstern, who moved to Canada from Germany 15 years ago and finds the Ontario system antiquated compared to other countries and provinces.

Both Burnt Ship Bay and Fancy Farm Girl are part of a four-month program that features select Ontario craft wines available in 62 LCBO stores priced from $13.95 to $19.95.

“Otherwise, I have to sell it straight from my kitchen on the farm,” said Staff, who produces just shy of 5,000 cases a year.

She and Morgenstern say it’s impossible to go up against the American-owned Wine Rack and the Canadian-owned Wine Shop, which have 268 supermarket kiosks and standalone stores selling Ontario and blended foreign bulk wine, including well-known brands Jackson-Triggs, Inniskillin and Peller Estates. (By comparison, the giants produce about 2 million cases a year.)

Ontario wines are key economic generators, Morgenstern noted. The industry has annual sales in excess of $675 million and employs 14,000 people.

The president of the Wine Council of Ontario, a non-profit trade association that represents 100 wineries across the province, said Wednesday “it would be a shame to miss the opportunities in front of us right now.”

“Ontario’s VQA wineries have seen tremendous growth over the last decade, including through the last several years of hard economic times. We want to build on that success, and we want to grow and innovate in order to compete in our global economy,” Richard Linley said in a statement.

Ontario could see more than $1 billion in additional revenues from wine retail reforms, added Linley.

“The biggest losers out of all this are Ontario consumers,” said Staff.

About three-quarters of wine consumed in Canada comes from other countries like France and Italy, and 60 per cent of all wine consumed is red.

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The SAS Blog: Stories, Wine Highlights, Events, Recipes, etc.

August 13, 2015

10 NOT-TO-MISS ONTARIO WINES

July 30, 2015

Spice Up Your Next Ladies’ Night

Spice Up Your Next Ladies’ Night

July 08, 2015

POP UP HAMILTON presents: DOWNTON DOWNTOWN

July 05, 2015

Caroline's Culinary Delights ... 2013 Fancy Farm Girl Foxy Pink

Caroline's Culinary Delights

http://carolinesculinarydelights.com/2015/07/sueannstaff-2013-fancy-farm-girl-foxy-pink/

@SueAnnStaff – 2013 Fancy Farm Girl Foxy Pink

2013 Fancy Farm Girl Foxy Pink

May 13, 2015

Boutique Wineries in Niagara That are Worth the Drive

May 12, 2015

DOUBLE GOLD FOR JORDAN’S FANCY FARM GIRL

April 22, 2015

Sour grapes for Ontario craft wineries Small wine makers not thrilled that plans to bring wine to grocery stores reportedly stalled by the province

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